Small and medium-sized firms have until the end of July to register for a three-month trial offering free access to public sector contracts.

More than 87,500 contracts have been advertised on http://www.supply2.gov.uk, aimed at smaller sized firms that benefit from tenders valued at £100,000 or less.

Shriti Vadera, business minister, said: "Many smaller businesses are more innovative, have lower costs and present better value for taxpayers than larger firms. We need to ensure they have better access to government procurement to give them the opportunity to grow."